Method of treating and packaging slivers and resulting packages



Feb. 11, 1930. E. J. ABBOTT 1,746,509

' A METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS ANDRESULTING'PACKAGESFiled-March 26. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 11,1930;

5.11. ABBOTT METHOD OF. TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS AND RESULTINGPACKAGES Filed March 26. 1926 3 Sheets-Shut 2 I v $33 w t N. U. MN m w mW 1 wk. I t v v A @Xv fux w .6 Q q \mfi N .7 I

Ill/Mill! Edward (Runes 'fi ott Feb. 1151 30;

E; J. ABBOTT METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIYERS AND RESfiLTINGPACKAGES Filed March 26, 1926 .3. Sheets-Sheet eoaeoeoeoeooooeaoOOOOOOOGQQOGOOOGYO iiwani James cflfiatt.

Patented Feb.'11, 1930b UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE EDWARD JAMES ABBOTT,0F WILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS ANDRESULTING PACKAGE S 7 Application filed March 26,1926. Serial No.97,588.' i

after comprehensively denominated slivers,

' together with apparatus useful in practising runs off through D saidmethod.

The improved method comprises the basic step of winding a sliver,substantially devoid of permanent twist, in such a manner as to producea package or mass, the sliver being wound under tension and compressionand being laid up during winding to form a dense mass of substantiallyuniform but porous tex'- ture, preferabl of self-sustaining character.This method a so comprises in its more specific aspects the fluidtreatment (for example dyeing) and also, if desired, the. drying of the'yarn mass so produced and preferably a ''pre limina'ry working ortreatment of the sliver for bringing its fibers more or-less intoparallelism. The mass is preferably wound upon a rigid spool and whenthe complete process, including either or both fluid treatment anddrying, is to be performed, the spool isprovided with a perforatedbarrel for the passage of the fluid and drying media.

.While the present invention may be found useful in preparing wool,cotton or other fibrous materials or mixtures of such materials, theinvention is herein described by way of specific example as applied tothe production and/or treatmentof slivers from wool curly onwavy.Usually this sliver is received at this stage of the'operation in theform ofa more or less spherical ball about twelve inches in diameter.Commonly this ball is a self-supporting package made by cross windingthe sliver upon a tapered stick which is afterward withdrawn. In a ballproduced in this manner by an open or repeated cross winding the layerstend to build up unevenly with frequent spots where a large number ofslivers cross at the same point. The sliver as thus received is nowdrawn, usually several times to reduce its diameter, and in drawing itseveral of the balls ,are placed in a creel or on spindles and thesliver '11s and drawing boxes where the several slivers are laid more orless parallel anddrawn out, the composite sliver being rewoundto form anew yarn mass after each drawing operation. 1

In some types of machine the sliver is delivered to a conical woodenstick or lap stick resting on a pair of corrugated drive rolls whichcause the yarn, mass to rotate and there by to build up a ball similarto the original ball and having similar characteristics. Other types ofmachines deliver the sliver after drawing to a coiling can, whileflstillother machines wind thesliver upon vertical spindles or small spools bymeans of a flier which'puts a slight twist into the sliver as it iswound upon the spool. Not only doesthe flier put a permanent twist intothe sliver but it also rubs the outer fibers of the sliver so that theytend to curl and this tednency to curl often produces bunches or unevenplaces in the strand at a later stage in the process.

For the production of the best. results in treating the textile fiber inthe form of a strand with any fluid reagent, ,for example an aqueoussolution of dyestufi', it is essential to have thestrand as freeof-permanent twist as possible since any crossing of the fibers tendstoprevent uniformity in the absorption of the fluid reagent, whereas ifthe fluidfbe applied to a sliver having all of its constituent fiberssubstantially parallel, it is possible to treat the sliver in a veryuniform manner.

When as previously referred to the sliver is wound in balls, it isofuneven density and contains spots where many strands cross at the samepoint and in dyeing such a ball either by the open vat or ,by theressure method, the inequalities in density 0 the ball result in unevenabsorption of the dye stuff which greatly detracts from the value of theproduct.

, Obviously when slivers are coiled in a can they can not as a practicalmatter be dyed in this form since sliver having its fibers substantiallyparallel to each other is too weak usual type of spool acquires a veryconsiderable permanent twist during the several operations and is thusunfitted for uniform dyef n accordance with my present invention I avoidthe introduction of permanent twist into the sliver throughout theentire operation, layin the fibers as nearly parallel as possible andwinding the sliver under tension to form a package of substantiallyuniform present method consists in winding the sliver under compressiondirectly onto a rigid spool, employing a loose type of wind and keepingthe sliver under tension but avoiding introduction of permanent twist inlaying up the coils u on the spool. Preferably as a step prelimmary'towinding, I bring the fibers comprising the sliver into more or lessparallel relation by drawing, or a combination of gilling and drawing.If several stages of drawing are employed, the sliver may be wounddirectly upon a spool of ordinary type at the completion of eachdrawing, but at the end of the last drawing the sliver is preferablywound upon a spool having a perforated barrel to facilitate lateroperations.

Preferably, though not necessarily, thespool upon which the sliver iswound its axis substantiall horizontal and rests upon a power drivendriving roll by which it is frictionally rotated, the spool-beingreciprocated uniformly in an axial direction to lay the yarn upon thespool in any desired type of wind. The sliver is delivered into the bitebetween the spool barrel and drive roll and the weight of the spoolcompresses the sliver as it is wound. To facilitate dyeing, an open orFiji wind is preferred. Preferably to avoid undue traverse movement ofthe spool and to keep the mechanism within practical dimensions and toreduce the time of winding to a minimum, a plurality of slivers maysimultaneously be wound upon the same spool.

Preferably the yarn is so wound as to form a package of self-sustainingtype regardless of whether the spool is provided with heads or not andas above stated I prefer to'employ an open wind to facilitatepenetration of the d e liquor, although the winding should be of acharacter to produce a substantially uniform texture throughout theentire length of the yarn mass. The sliver being wound in aself-sustaining type of package 11 on a rigid core is capable ofwithstanding t 1e pressure necessary to force the dye liquor through itwithout slumping down along the barrel of the spool, or othersubstantial distortion or relative displacement 'of its coils or layersand is superior in uniformity to material dyed upon supports ofresilient and collapsible character such as are sometimes employed andwherein the yarn mass is placed under a compressive stress that shiftsthe coils from the position in which they were originally laid in amanner which can not well be predetermined. 7

After winding and before dyeing the sliver upon the spool may be coveredwith a pervious textile fabric to protect it during the subsequentsteps. The spools with the sliver wound thereon are now set verticallyin a dye kettle or tank and clamped in position and the dye liquor isforced through the layers of sliver either from the interior outwardlyor vice versa or by alternation of-the two methods. During thisoperation the sliver is supported internally by the spool as well'as bthe self-sustaining wind employed so that t ere is little chance ofabrasion of the outer layers, while this self-sustaining wind preventsthe wet and heavy sliver from slumping down from the upper part of thespool barrel and uncovering the perforations in the latter which wouldpermit the dye liquor to rush out at abnormal velocity thereby snarlingor injuring the sliver. Thus the fibers all remain substantiallystraight, untwisted, and under the original tension with which they werewound.

When the dyeing operation is complete the spools are removed from thedye kettle and the sliver is dried upon the spool, preferably by forcingair, heated or not, as desired, through the layers of sliver.

While it has heretofore been attempted to dry yarn upon perforatedspools by forcing air t irough the yarn upon the spool, the compressedair for this purpose has usually been provided by the use of a constantvolume pump or blower. Since a very high pressure is necessary at thebeginning to force the air through the wet stock, the apparatus isusually designed with particular reference to the production of suchhigh pressure and when most of the water had been expelled and theresistance decreases, there is no way to increase the volume of air, sothat the drying is unduly delayed. In accordance with the presentinvention the pressure of the air is gradually diminished while thevolume of air is increased as the drying process progresses; Thisresultsv in rapid and uniform drying with less expenditure of power andno damage whatever to the material. The sliver, having thus been driedwithout twist or bias in any particular direction, may be delivereddirectly from the spool to the next machine employed in making the yarnand since the fibers have been straightened, and set during the dryingprocess the sliver is in the best trated with re ,trating the drawinggear, the driving con nections for the gill'box, and the position ofpossible condition for the production of high grade yarn.

'2-2 of Fig. 1.;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view illusthewinding mechanism relativelythereto;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section substantially on the line 44 ofFig. 2 but 'to larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a perforatedspool usefulin performing the process;

Fig. 7 ,'s' an elevation partly in vertical section illustratingapparatus useful in performing the drying step of the process; and

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 7,viewed from the left hand side of the latter. I

Referring to the drawings Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically a gill boxof well known type but having the usual balling device replaced bywinding mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.In this figure the numeral 1 designates the driving shaft, the numeral 2the back shaft, and

' 3 the shaft change gears. The back drawing rolls are shown at 4 andthe front drawing rolls at 5 but most of the other features of the gillbox structure are omitted since the present invention does not in anyway relate to the specific details of the gill box structure.

At the front of the machine I arrange a driving shaft 6 carrying afriction driving drum 7 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3 preferably provided with a,corrugated sur ace. To the rear of the shaft 6 and parallel thereto is afixed.

guide rod R (see Fig. 2) and the shaft 6 and the rod R constitute guidesfor a sliding traverse frame comprising the spaced vertical end members8and 9 (Fig. 1) and the transverse connectin bar B.

The en members 8 and 9 of' the traverse frame constitute guides forvertical sliding weights '10 and 11 respectively. These weights arefurnished with downwardly directed bills providing retaining slots 12(Fig.

' 2) which-are adapted to take over the. opposite ends 13 and 14respectively of aspool supporting spindle and to hold said spindle 1nengagement with the vertical front surfaces of the members 8 and 9 ofthe traverse 3 frame.

The spool spindle is provided with suitable'means, not shown, forcentering the hollow, rigid, and preferabl perforated barrel 15 of aspool provided with beads 16 and 17 at its opposite ends. While I preferto use The transverse member B of the traverse '85 frame is providedwith a rack 18 (Figs. 1 and 2) which meshes with a driving plnion 19carried by a vertical shaft 20 suitably journalled in the machine frame.The shaft 20 is furnished with a mangle-gear 21 of well known typeprovided with pins which are engaged by a pinion 22 carried by a drivingshafti23. This driving, shaft is journalled in bearings which permit itto move bodily to the extent necessary to allow the pinion 22 constantlyto mesh with thepins of the mangle-gear 21. The upper bearing for theshaft 23 is formed in a bracket 25 which is adjust-- ably mounted uponthe forward part 26 of the machine frame.

A pinion 24 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 23 and meshes witha pinion 27 on a transverse shaft journalled in a bearing 28 carried bythe frame. This shaft is furnished with a pinion 29 meshing with a gear30 which. in turn meshes with a gear 31 carried by the shaft 6. Theopposite end of the shaft 6 is furnished with a gear 6' (Fig. 1)

which receives its motion through a suitable train of mechanism (seeFig.3) from the front drawing .rolls.

At a point intermediate the front drawing rolls 5 and the windin drum 7,the frame is provided with a pair of upstanding brackets 32 and 33(Fig. 1) respectively providing journals 34 for rotary trumpet guides35.

.Each of these trumpet guidesis provided with. a pulley 37 (Fig. 2) forengagement with a belt 38. The belt 38 passes around guide rolls 39 atits opposite ends, such rolls being supported in fixed brackets 40mounted on the machine frame. Preferably the belt 38 makesa' completeturn around each of the pulleys 37 so as to obtain a firm frictionalengagement therewith. With the parts thus arranged lateral reciprocationof the traverse frame causes the trumpet guides to oscillate first inone direction and then'in the other. The trumpet guides are furnishedwith axial openings 41 preferably of angular transverse sections sothat'they obtain a partial grip upon the sliver S passin therethroug'h.

The machine thus far escribed is arranged to wind two sliverssimultaneously upon the same spool with a rapid traverse or crosswinding so as to build a self-sustaining yarn jaekage of more or lessopen wind but of uniorm texture throughout. While as here shown theapparatus is intended for winding two slivers simultaneously it iscontemplated that so far as the broader aspects ofthe invention areconcerned the machine may be designed to wind but a single sliver on thespool or on the other hand to wind a greater number than two. Oneadvantage in winding more than one sliver upon the same spool is thatthe traverse frame is not required to make so long a reciprocation as itwould he were a single sliver to be wound on the long spool which itis'desired to employ for the purpose, while the time required forfilling a spool is correspondingly reduced.

The operation is briefly as follows, it being assumed that as apreliminary step the sliver is drawn, or drawn and gilled, although itis to be understood that this preliminary step may be omitted, and thatthe sliver may be presented to the winding means from any suitablesource.

The sliver being treated passes from the back rolls 4 to the front rolls5 which are suitably geared to give the desired draft to the sliver,thus drawing it out and tending to bring. the fibers into parallelrelation. This drawing of the fibers and laying them in parallelrelation may be assisted by the other and usual elements of a gill boxwhich tend to lay the fibers composing the sliver in more or lessparallel relation.

Whether or not the drawing and gilling step, or either of them isemployed, the sliver or slivers emerge from between the front rolls 5 orequivalent means for providing tension, pass through the trumpet guides35, and thence pass between the driving drum 7 and the barrel 15 of thespool. The weights 10 and 11 press the spool downwardly against thedriving drum and as the driving drum turns the slivers are wound undercompression upon the spool, the speed of the drum being such relative tothe rate of delivery of the rolls 5'as to place the sliver under aconstant tension during the winding suflicient to straighten normallycurly or wavy fibers. If the drawing or gilling steps are omitted, the

rolls 5 or their equivalent may be regarded as representativeof thedelivery of'any other sliver handling machine.

The mangle wheel 21 causes the traverse frame to reciprocate and thisreciprocation is properly timed with reference to the rotation of thespool driving drums to'produce the desired wind of the-slivers upon thespool whereby to form a self-sustaining package. As theframe'reciprocates the trumpet guides oscillate and thus prevent thesliver from receiving any permanent twist as it approaches either end ofits traverse. The sliver is thus wound upon the spool under constanttension, and with substantially no permanent twist, in the form of anopen and pervious package of uniform density and texture.

In accordance with the present invention the spool, filled during thelast winding operation, (if a series of successive windings andrewindings are involved) is withdrawn from the winding apparatus, whichmay readily be done by lifting the weights l0 and 11 to release thespool spindle, and the spool'maythen be placed in a suitable dyeingapparatus '(not shown) for dyeing the sliver upon the spool. Preferablysuch apparatus may 'comprise the usual dye kettle used in ressure dyeinghaving means for clamping t 1e spool in proper position and for forcingthe dye liquor through the material upon the spool.

The dye liquor may traverse the material on the spool from the outsideinwardly or from the inside outwardly in accordance with the form ofapparatus em loyed, the particular method of dyeing being immaterial; Byreason of the loose and open wind of the yarn mass upon the spool thedye liquor is able to traverse the mass in a uniform manner'so that thesliver when removed from the spool is of uniform color while there issubstantially no loss of material through abrasion or snarling duringthe entire process.

When the material upon the spool has been properly dyed the spool isremoved from the dye apparatus and may be dried by the use of theapparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring to these figures the numeral 42 indicates a centrifugal blowerof a type such that the volume of air delivered increases as the backpressure decreases. This blower has a delivery pipe 43 which deliversair under, pressure into the tank or drum 44. This tank or drum isconnected with a horizontal header 45 from which extends a series ofsubstantially vertical pipes 46. These pipes are closed at their lowerends and preferably provided with feet 47 adapted to rest upon the flooror other suitable support. vertical pipes 46 are furnished at intervalswith T-connections 48 which carry the horizontally'exten'ding perforatedtubular supports 49.- These supports 49 are sufficiently rigid tosupport the weight of a spool filled with the wet sliver.

Each of the supports 49'is preferably provided with a conical spoolcentering member 50 at its rear and with aclosure member or plug 51 atits front end. The closure mem-- her 51 supports a screw-threaded rod52.

The spool from the dye kettle is slipped over the support 49 asindicated at the upper The part of Fig. 7, the rear end of the barrel ofthe spool fitting snug against the centering member 50 to make a tightjoint therewith, slich centering member being of resilient material ifdesired. The forward end of the barrel of the spool is now closed bymeans of a centering cap- 53 through which the threaded rod 52 projectsand the spool is clamped in position by means of a nut 54 engaging theend of the rod. I preferably provide drip pans 55 extending between eachhorizontal tier of spools and such drip pans may if'desired be connectedto suitable drain pipes not shown.

After the spools havebeen mounted upon the supports 49 the blower isstarted and the e alr under pressure passes down through the pipes .46and out through the perforations in the supports 49. The pressure at thestart of the operation is sufiiclent to blow the air through the wetmass Y of material upon the 'spool, but as the Water'is forced out ofthe Wet material the pressure necessary to-force the air therethroughbecomes less and for this reason the blower 42 is so chosen that as theresistance decreases the volume of air increases. This results in rapiddrying of the material and without danger of damage thereto through theuse of excessive pressure after the material has become partlyor whollydry. 1

After the material upon the spool has been thoroughly dried it may bedrawn ofi directly from the spool for delivery to the next machineor'apparatus employed in the process of making yarn. Since the sliverwas originally laid upon the spool under constant tension but withouttwist and since .it has been dyed and dried without disturbance itleaves the "spool with its fibers substantially parallehuntwisted, andwith a distinct set 40 Which is of great assistance 1n preventlngsnarling or bunching in subsequent operations.

While certain apparatus has herein been illustrated as desirable forperformingthe improved process it is to be understood that the processis not necessarily dependent on the employment of this specificapparatus but that other and equivalent means may be found usefulinobtaining the desired results. It is also to be understood that certainof the steps of the process as above described may be omitted or used ina different order or that other andequivalent steps or reagents may besubstituted therefor 'WltllOllt departing from the broad inventioninvolved.

Having'thus described the invention together with a preferred mode-ofpractising the same, I claim:

1. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having itsconstituent fibers predominately straight and parallel which compriseswinding the sliver without substantially deranging its fibers to formhollow package of dense but substantially uniform and porous texture andof self-sustaining character.

I 2 That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid ofpermanent twist and having its fibers predominantly straight andparallel which comprises winding the sliver under tension. andcompression and without twist to form an open wind upon a perforatedspool of fixed length. n

- 3. That method of preparing untwistedstrands which comprises as stepsbringing the fibers composing the strand .into substantial parallelism,and subjecting the strand while under tension to the action of a boilingfluid while substantially mainta'ining the parallel relation of thefibers.

4. That method of preparing textile" strands substantially devoid ofpermanent twist which comprises-as steps winding the type, andmoistening the package with a hot.

fluid and drying the package while maintaining its length substantiallyunchanged. 6. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands whichcomprises as steps winding the strand with a cross wind and withoutsubstantial twist upon a perforated rigid spool, covering the materialupon the spool With a layer of pervious textile fabric, forcing a fluidmedium radially through the mass on the spool, and drying the materialupon the spool.

7. That method of preparing textile sliver which comprises as stepsbringing the fibers composing the sliver into substantially parallelrelation, Winding the sliver without substantial twist directly upon aperforated.

spool of fixed length, and forcing a liquor reagent through the sliverupon the spool.

8. That method of preparing textile sliver which comprises gilling thesliver to lay its fibers substantially parallel, winding the sliverwithout permanent twist directly upon a perforated spool of fixedlength, moisten ing the sliver' upon the spool with a boiling liquid,and subsequently drying the sliver upon the spool.

9. That method of preparing textile slivers substantially devoid ofpermanent u twist which comprises as steps simultaneously winding aplurality of untwisted slivers under tension upon a hollow perforatedcore with an open Wind to form an elongate package of substantiallyuniform density, and moistening and'drying said package.

10. That method of preparing textile slivers substantially devoid ofpermanent twist which comprises as steps simultaneously winding aplurality of said untwisted slivers upon a hollow perforated spool undertension and compression while relatively traversing the slivers andgthespool axially to lay the sliver under tension to form a hollow packtcrial age, forcing a liquid reagent radially through-the package, anddrying the package by forcing air through it, the pressure of the airbeing gradually decreased as the package'dries.

13. That method of preparing textile slivers which comprises as stepswinding the sliver under tension to form a hollow pack- -age,impregnating the package with boiling aqueous fluid, and drying thepackage forcing air through it from its interior outwardly, the pressureof the air being diminished as the package dries.

14. That method of preparing textile slivers which comprises as stepsboiling the sliver under substantially constant tension inan aqueousfluid, and subsequently drying the untwisted sliver under tension.

15. That method of preparing untwisted textile slivers which comprisesas steps winding the sliver under tension and withouttwist to form aself-sustaining package consisting of helical coils, and subjecting thepackage to'the action of a boiling aqueous fluid while maintaining theseveral coils in substantially the position in which they were wound.

16. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands which comprisesas steps winding the strand under tension without imparting permanenttwist to the sliver to form an elongate hollow package of self-supporting type, moistening the material by forcing liquid from the interior ofthe package outwardlp through the mass, and drying the may forcing airoutwardly from the interior of the package.

17. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands which'comprisesas steps simultaneously gilling a plurality of strands, winding saidstrands under tension and without twist upon a hollow support, andwetting and drying the strands upon the support. 18. That method ofpreparing textile sliver which comprises as steps working the sliver itsfibers substantially parallel, winde sliver under tension and withoutsubstantially deranging its fibers to form an elongate hollow package,and treating the sliver composing the package with a hot fluid whilemaintaining unchanged the relative position of the layers of slivercomprising the package.

19. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid ofpermanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver with a crosswind to form an elongate package while maintaining the sliver in itsuntwisted condition and without substantially deranging its. fibers, andmaintaining the length of the package substantially unchanged whilemoistening and drying the package.

' 20. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid ofpermanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver withouttwist upon a hollow perforated spool of fixed length, and subjecting thesliver upon the spool to the action of a fluid reagent.

21. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid ofpermanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver undertension and without twist upon. a hollow perforated spool of fixedlength, moistening the sliver, and drying the sliver upon the spool.

22. That method of preparing textile SllV- e'r which comprises as stepslaying the fibres composing the sliver in substantially parallelrelation, winding the sliver without twist and under tension upon aspool having heads at its ends and a perforated barrel, and subofahotfluid medium.

23. A textile package comprising un- I ecting the sliver upon the spoolto the action twisted sliver in the form of an open wound pervious massupon a hollow, perforated rigid core, the fibers comprising the sliverbe ing substantially straight, parallel and under tension. 4

24. A textile package comprising untwisted dyd and dried sliverconsisting of fibers WhlCll in their normal state are wavy, said sliverbeing wound upon a rigid core to form a pervious mass, the fiberscomprising the sliver forming said ackage having a permanent. set andbelng substantially straight.

--25. A textile sliver comprising .un-

twisted fiber, the individual fibers composing the'sliver having apermanent set and being substantially parallel, said sliverv being dryand dyed to a substantially-uniform shade throughout its length.

26. A textile package comprising untwisted sliver wound-under tension toform an elongate substantially cylindrical mass wherein each convolutionof the sliver occupies substantially the position in which it wasoriginally laid, the mass being capable of retaining its shape when wetand placed on end.

27. A textile package comprising an un- 'to form an elongatesubstantially cylindrical mass wherein each convolution occupiessubstantially the position in whichit was originally placed, the windingbein of such charactor as to prevent the mass rom slumping down whenplaced on end and subjected to a pressure dyeing operation. a

28. A textile package comprising an elongate substantially cylindricalhollow mass consisting "of a cross wound fibrous strand and'wherein eachconvolution occupies substantially the position in which it originallylaid, said package being capable of maintaining its shape withoutsubstantial deformation when placed on end and subjected to pressuredyeing and drying.

29. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having itsconstituent fibers predominantl parallel which comprises as stepswinding t e sliver without twisting to form .an open .wound package ofself-sustaining structure and substantially uniform texture,

tensioning the strand while winding it, and

I stit'uent windings 'substantiall boiling the package in an aqueousfluid while maintaining the relative position of'its conunchanged. 30.That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constituentfibers pre dominantly parallel anduntwisted which comprises placing;such sliver under tension, winding it under compression upon aperforated hollow core while maintaining it in its untwisted condition,thereby donning an elongate mass, and boilin the mass upon the core inan aqueous'fiuid w ile maintaining its length substantially unchanged.

31. That. method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having itsconstituent fibers predominantly parallel which comprises winding thesliver without substantially deranging its fibers upon a rigid core toform a substantially cylindrical package while maintaining the sliver inits untwisted condition, and boils ing and drying the package whilekeeping its length substantially unchanged.

32. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having itsconstit-u'entfibers substantially straight and set in predominantlyparallel relation which comprises winding the sliver withoutsubstantially deranging its fibers to form a hollow package of dense butsubstantially uniform and porous texture, and of self-sustainingcharacter, dyeing the package by forcing dye stuflf radially through thepackage, and drylng the package, by forcing air radially through it.- I

33. That method of treating wool sliver whose constituent fibers have anormal tendency to curl which comprises as steps tensioning the sliverwhereby substantially to straighten its constituent fibers, subjectingthe sliver while still un-der tension to the action of a boiling-fluid,and drying the sliver while keeping it under tension.

34. That method of treating sliver pre-' pared from normally wavy wooltops which comprise as steps tensioning the sliver sufficientlysubstantially to remove the waviness from its constituent fibers,winding the sliver without twisting itto form a package, impregnatingthe package with a boiling fluid, and drying the package thereby toimpart a permanent set to the straightened fibers constituting thesliver.

35. That method of treating untwisted sliver prepared from normally wavwool topswhich comprise as steps tensioning the untwisted sliversufficiently substantially to remove the waviness from -its constituentfibers, winding the sliver without twisting it to form a perviouspackage of self-sustaining character, circulating a boiling liquidthrough the package, and drying the package 36. That method of preparingwool sliver,

for spinning which comprises as steps windas substantially to straightenit and remove the natural waviness of the constituent fibers,

treating the mass of material on the spool with a boiling aqueous fluid,subjecting the material on the spool to the action of dry air whereby todry and set the straightened fibers, and unwinding the dry sliver fromthe spool.

37. That method of treating an unspun textile strand prepared fromnormally wavy wool tops which comprise as steps tensioning the strandsufliciently substantially to remove the waviness from its constituentfibers, winding the strand to form a cylindrical pervious selfsustaxilning package, circulating hot fluid throu-g t e package whilekeeping the length of the package substantially unchanged, and dryingthe package whereby to impart a per manent set to the straightenedfibers constituting the strand. a

38. That method of treating wool fiber having a. normal tendency tocurlwhich com-- prises as steps disposing the fiber'in predominatelyparallel relation without twisting, straightening the fibers wherebysubstantially to remove their curl, treating the fibers with a hotfluid-while restraining them to prevent resumption of their naturalcurl, and drying the fibers while still under restraint whereby to givethem a permanent set.

39. That method of preparin normally wavy wool fiber for spinning whic 7comprises as steps arranging the fiber to form a sliver substantiallydevoid of twist, winding the whose constituent fibers are normally wavy,

natural waviness of the constituent fibers of the sliver, moistening thematerial upon'the .spool, and drying the material on the spool therebygiving the straightened fiber a permanent set, and unwinding the sliverfrom the spool.

40. That method of treating Wool sliver whose constituent fibers arenormally wavy, which comprises as steps winding the sliver under tensionand without substantially twisting it upon a spool, therebystraightening out the natural waviness of the constituexit fibers of thesliver, and treating the sliver upon the spool to the action of agentswhich substantially neutralize the normal tendency of the fiber toresume its original waviness when the sliver is subsequently unwoundfrom the spool.

41. That method of treating wool sliver consisting of normally curlyfibers to produce a sliver whose constituent fibers are permanently andpredominately substantially straight, said method comprising as stepsplacing the sliver under such tension as substantially to straighten thenormally curl v fiber while winding the sliver to form a sel sustainingpackage of fixed length, subjecting the package to the action of areagent which temporaril tendency of the fih er to curl, and subjectingthe package to a treatment which causes the fibers to take a permanentset in their straightened condition.

42. That method of treating unspu'n wool sliver which comprises as stepskeeping the sliver under tension sufiicient to make its constituentfibers substantially straight while treating the sliver with a hotfluid,

. and expelling the fluid from the sliver while still keeping the latterunder tension whereo by to cause its constituent fibers to take apermanent set .in their straightened condition.

Signed by me at Wilton, New Hampshire, this 20th day of March, 1926. Y

EDWARD JAMES ABBOTT.

at least neutralizes the

